While the Nets Summer League squad hit the hardwood for the first time in Las Vegas, Jeremy Lin got a first look at some of his teammates.
The newest Net sat courtside at Thomas and Mack Center to watch Brooklyn’s young guns get the 79-73 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and spoke to the media during halftime of Saturday’s game.
“It’s cool man. It reminds me how far I’ve come,” Lin said.
“God has blessed me in so many ways and the journey has been so amazing. I was the one out here, coming off the bench of a Summer League team, not thinking I’d ever see the floor in a Summer League game.”
Lin (6’3”, 200) signed a multi-year deal with the Nets on July 7 and has appeared in 369 career games (183 starts) in six NBA seasons. The guard posted averages of 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.8 minutes per game while shooting .432 from the field and .803 from the free throw line.
“I feel that it’s a good opportunity for me. Obviously the fans there [New York] have treated me very well, even though it’s a different organization. Excited to be back in the city,” Lin said.
Looking forward to getting to work with his new teammates, Lin is focused on his future in Brooklyn.
“I think for me, I’ve grown a lot over the last few years. I just want to try and be a leader,” he said.
“We’ve talked a lot about culture and establishing a type of identity and work ethic. I want to help. It’s going to be collective. Brook [Lopez] will be a big part of it, as well as the other players.”
Having worked with Coach Atkinson in the past with the Knicks in New York, Lin explained he’s ready to take on that responsibility with the Nets.
“I’m the playmaker, I’m the point guard, I’ve got to lead and be the extension of the coach. I’m not shying away from that role at all,” he said.
Lin made it clear: he’s excited to be back in the New York City area and can’t wait to get in front of fans at Barclays Center.
“I know every time I went back to New York to play the Nets, the fans have come out and supported me – sometimes making me feel like it was almost like a home game,” he said.
“Now that I’m actually playing there, hopefully it’ll be even better.”